So, if it’s too poppy for you, that’s my fault." We worked the chords and the melodies and the vocal melodies with them, but I did the production. A lot of people say ‘Oh, the song Heavy sounds like a pop song – it must be because of Justin and Julia’. Īs for the style of the song, Mike said, "A misconception about our process is that actually Justin and Julia’s contribution with us was only melodic and verbal. Mike felt that the key to the song was the line "If I just let go I'd be set free", as that lyric contains the idea of personal responsibility, which solidified the song's message and theme. He later described a day that Chester had come in to the studio and exclaimed that he felt overwhelmed by a myriad of problems. In an interview with Zach Sang, Mike Shinoda explained that the song is a core part of the album and described the message of the song with the proverb "when it rains it pours", talking about how "Heavy" is about the culmination of a singular, dramatic event and several smaller, less important problems. The band sent her some exclusive merch in the following month. She has mentioned Linkin Park as one of her influences and has been listening to their music since she was 5 years old. Her vocals were recorded over a 7 hour session in December 2016, a few days before Linkin Park left the studio. Mike explained, "if you hear another voice on it it would make it feel like it's coming from more than one person." They initially wanted Julia Michaels to sing on the song, but she declined, so they contacted Kiiara, who was introduced to the band by Zane Lowe when he was invited to the studio to hear the new music, and asked her to sing on it. I don't know if those are good directions, but there's something that feels out of the box for us it could give it that dynamic it needs."
It was Joe who brought the idea up to the band, saying, "It could be interesting to maybe experiment with the vocals on the chorus, like bring in a female vocalist to add harmony would be cool. Ĭhester originally sang the whole song, but the band felt like it needed another perspective. Nashville songwriter, producer and engineer Emily Wright, who was announced to have contributed to the album in a November 2016 live feed on Facebook, was in charge of vocal recording. The song was written by Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson and Chester Bennington in collaboration with Julia Michaels and Justin Tranter. The title of "Heavy" was first seen in a picture posted (and immediately removed) by Joe Hahn on Apof Jon Green with a songboard behind him. The single was released three days after the lyrics, on February 16, 2017. It is one of Brad Delson's favorite songs on the album, along with " Sharp Edges".
"Heavy" marks the first time Linkin Park shared the lyrics of a song online before its official release and their first song to feature female lead vocals. It was written in collaboration with Julia Michaels and Justin Tranter with Emily Wright being responsible for vocal recording and features guest vocals by Kiiara. "Heavy" is the sixth track and first single from One More Light. Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Emily Wright, Andrew Bolooki The work with most songs written by the duo together is "This Is What the Truth Feels Like" by Gwen Stefani with 12 songs.Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Chester Bennington, Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter.Justin is also credited on all tracks from Julia's EP " Nervous System" except " Don't Wanna Think" which is written by Julia alone. The only work written completely by the Justin-Julia duo is Hailee Steinfeld's EP "HAIZ".If we’re in a room and we’re doing a melody and they’re singing, and I can’t focus, so it’s nice to have somebody in the room that knows that and is just like, ‘Can you wait 5 seconds?’". My brain will get really overstimulated really easily. Julia talked about Justin Tranter in her interview with Harper's Bazaar: "It’s nice to have somebody that doesn’t judge you and will try anything with you. Personal relationship with Julia Michaels Skylar Stecker - How Did We (from Everything, Everything).Tinashe), Better, Change Your Mind (No Seas Cortés) Britney Spears - Just Like Me, Invitation, Do You Wanna Come Over?, Slumber Party (solo or ft.Fetty Wap), Send Me a Picture, Me Without You, Rare, Rocket Ship, Getting Warmer Gwen Stefani - Misery, You're My Favorite, Where Would I Be?, Make Me Like You, Truth, Asking 4 It (ft.Selena Gomez - Revival, Hands to Myself, Me & the Rhythm, Body Heat, Perfect.Hailee Steinfeld - Love Myself, You're Such A, Love Myself (solo or ft." Are You" (from Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack)." Help Me Out" ( Maroon 5 and Julia Michaels).Work with Julia Michaels From Julia Michaels projects "Nervous System" (2017)